Puzzle comprising discs with interengaging pins and apertures

ABSTRACT

A puzzle-type game comprising a plurality of generally flat, uniform-shaped sections nestable end to end to form an elongated object. The sections all have interengaging surfaces, with the interengaging surfaces of each section being complementary with the surfaces of at least one, or more, but not all of the remaining sections whereby the sections must be properly matched so as to interengage and thereby nest all of the sections to form the elongated object. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sections are disc-shaped and the interengaging surfaces comprise at least one pin and one aperture on each section, each pin and aperture having a positional relationship on each section with complementary aperture and pin, respectively, on one, or more but not all of the remaining sections.

2,510,884 6/1950 Greene 3,407,530 10/1968 Grantetal lnventor Jeffrey D.Breslow Chicago, Ill.

Appl. No. 9,65 1

Filed Feb. 9, 1970 Patented Dec. 28, 1971 Assignee Glass, Marvin &Associates PUZZLE COMPRISING DISCS WITH INTERENGAGING PINS AND APERTURES6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 273/157 R, 273/ 1 60 Int. Cl A63i 9/12 Field of Search 273/156,157, 160; 35/31 R, 73, 77

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 430,261 6/1890 Altemus 273/156 UX2,610,856 9/1952 Welty..... 273/160 2,961,779 11/1960 Perry 35/73Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle AttorneyHofgren, Wegner, Allen,Stellman & McCord ABSTRACT: A puzzle-type game comprising a plurality ofgenerally flat, uniform-shaped sections nestable end to end to form anelongated object. The sections all have interengaging surfaces, with theinterengaging surfaces of each section being complementary with thesurfaces of at least one, or more, but not all of the remaining sectionswhereby the sections must be properly matched so as to interengage andthereby nest all of the sections to form the elongated object. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the sections are disc-shaped andthe interengaging surfaces comprise at least one pin and one aperture oneach section, each pin and aperture having a positional relationship oneach section with complementary aperture and pin, respectively, on one,or more but not all of the remaining sections.

PUZZLE COMPRISING DISCS WITH INTERENGAGING PINS AND APERTURES BACKGROUNDAND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a puzzle-typegame of the type which has a plurality of sections having meansrequiring orientation of the sections in proper positional relationshipsto form a three dimensional object.

There presently are available various puzzle type games which utilize aplurality of components having various shapes ro color combinationswhich are correlated and must be positioned properly or matched so as todefine a three-dimensional object. Some of the games simply require theplayer to match the sections or pieces in proper colored or numberedsequences. This invention is directed to a new improved, novelpuzzle-type game which is comprised of a plurality of threedimensionalsections which must be properly matched to define a three-dimensionalobject.

The principal object of the present invention, therefore, is to providea new and improved puzzle-type game.

Another object of the invention is to provide a puzzle-type game whichincludes a plurality of sections nestable end to end to form anelongated three-dimensional object. The sections have interengagingsurface, with the interengaging surfaces of each section beingcomplementary with the surfaces of at least one but not all of theremaining sections whereby the sections must be properly matched so asto interengage and thereby nest all of the sections to form saidelongated object.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sections are generallydisc shaped with identical diameters and with the interengaging surfaceson opposite sides of the discs. The interengaging surfaces comprise atleast one pin and one aperture on each of the sections. The pin andaperture have positional relationships on each section complementarywith an aperture and pin, respectively, on at least one, or more, butnot all of the remaining sections. The complementary matching pins andapertures are spaced about the disc-shaped sections at different angularincrements and the pins and apertures on all sections preferably areequally spaced from the center of the disc-shaped sections. Some of thesections have only one pin and one aperture, whereas other sections havetwo or more pins and/or apertures. The endmost sections, when nested,have convex outer surfaces to distinguish the endmost sections from theintermediate sections, when nested and thereby form an elongated roundedobject.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apuzzle-type game embodying the concepts ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a central section, on an enlarged scale, of the puzzle-typegame shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the puzzle-type game showing the pluralityof nestable sections in proper orientation to form the puzzle-type gameshown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view, on a reduced scale, showing a plurality ofkey positions for the various pins and apertures at seven differentequal angular increments about the marginal periphery of the disc-shapedsections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The puzzle-type game of thepresent invention comprises a plurality of generally disc-shapedsections, generally designated and 10, which have generally identicaldiameters to define a cylindrical, elongated object. The endmostsections, generally designated 10', have convex end surfaces on theoutside thereof whereby, when all of the sections 10 and 10 are nestedtogether as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a threedimensional, elongatedrounded object is formed, generally resembling a link of sausage orother similar three-dimensional object, generally designated 12 in FIG.I. A string I4 may be provided and secured to one end section 10' toprovide a handle for carrying or manipulating the game during assemblyor after the sections are assembled.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each disc-shaped section 10 and 10 has acylindrical rim portion 16 which is spanned midway between the marginaledges thereof by a generally flat wall portion 18. The rim portion 16 ofthe sections are of equal diameters. The end sections 10 have theaforesaid convex surfaces, designated 19.

Generally speaking, the sections have interengaging surfaces, with theinterengaging surfaces of each section being complementary with thesurfaces of at least one, or more, but not all of the remaining sectionswhereby the sections must be properly matched and properly positioned,as shown by the exploded view of FIG. 3, so as to interengage andthereby nest all of the sections to form the elongated object shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, theinterengaging surfaces comprise at least one pin P" and one aperture A"(as shown in the third and fourth sections 10 from the top of FIG. 3).The letter designations P" and A" for the pins and apertures,respectively, are not applied to the remaining sections, for claritypurposes. The pins and apertures P and A, respectively, on all sections10 and 10 preferably are of the same size and shape to enhance thepuzzle aspects of the game and, preferably, are equally spaced from theenter of the disc-shaped sections. Preferably, a press fit is providedbetween the complementary pins and apertures so that the resultingformed elongated object shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will stay together whenproperly assembled.

Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic positional key diagram is shown, withseven (numbers l through 7) positions or increments shown about themarginal periphery of the wall portions 18 of the disc-shaped sectionswhen looking from the bottom end of FIG. 3. These numbers I through 7,"in the diagrammatical key of FIG. 4, are correlated with the numbersshown in FIG. 3, designating the various positions of the pins andapertures in the various sections 10 and 10'. More particularly, it canbe seen that the topmost section 10' in FIG. 3 has a pin in the number 7increment position for matching up with an aperture in the 7 incrementposition on the adjacent lower section 10. Additionally, the uppermostsection 10' has an aperture in the number 6" increment position (of thekey shown in FIG. 4) for receiving a pin on the adjacent lowermostsection 20 in the number 6" increment position. Proceeding downwardly inFIG. 3 to the second and third sections 10, the second section has a pinin the number 2 increment position and an aperture in the number 3increment position for complementarily engaging a similarlyincrementally positioned aperture and pin in the third section 10 in thesame increment positions 2 and 3, respectively. For brevity purposes,this correlation and the numbers 1 through 7" can be made in a similarfashion by comparing each of the following section 10, and the endmostsection 10', down to the bottom of FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, as can beviewed by comparing the sections 10 and 10' in FIG. 3, there are twosets of pins and apertures in the 1' increment position (FIG. 4); thereare three sets of pins and apertures in the 2 increment position; thereis one set of a pin and an aperture in the 3" increment position; thereis one set of a pin and an aperture in the 4 increment position; thereis one set of a pin and an aperture in the 5 increment position; thereis one set of a pin and an aperture in the 6 increment position; andthere are three sets of pins and apertures in the 7 increment position.This can readily be seen by following the particular increment positionsvertically through the series of segments shown in exploded view in FIG.3. Thus, if all of the sections 10 and 10 are positioned in theorientation shown in FIG. 3 and moved toward each other to a nestedposition, the various angularly spaced pins and apertures would matchand the puzzle game would be assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, withall of the pins and apertures matched in proper alignment.

Obviously, the pinand-aperture-type interengaging surfaces are apreferred embodiment. Other types of interengaging surfaces might beemployed. ln addition, numerous keys may be provided, with theincremental positions of the interengaging pin and aperture surfacesunevenly paced angularly about the marginal periphery of the wallportion 18 of the sections and 10'. Furthermore, the pins and aperturesmay be nonuniformly spaced from the center of the disc-shaped sections.These specific examples are merely other embodiments within the totalconcept of the present invention.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodbe understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art.

lclaim:

1. A puzzle-type game comprising a plurality of generally disc-shapedsections nestable end to end to form an elongated object, said sectionshaving interengaging surfaces including at least one pin and oneaperture, with each pin and aperture having a positional relationship oneach section with a complementary aperture and pin on at least one. ormore, but not all of the remaining sections, the apertures being of asize to receive their respectively matched pin and said complementarymatching pins and apertures are spaced about the discshaped sections atdifferent angular increments, whereby the sections must be properlymatched so as to interengage and thereby nest all of the sections toform said elongated object.

2. The puzzle game of claim 1 wherein at least two of the properlymatched sections have a plurality of complementary positioned pins andapertures.

3. The puzzle game of claim 2 wherein at least one of the sections has apin extending from opposite sides thereof.

4. The puzzle game of claim 2 wherein at least one of the sections has aplurality of apertures.

5. The puzzle game of claim 2 wherein said pins and apertures on allsections are equally spaced from the center of the disc-shaped sections.

6. The puzzle game of claim 2 wherein the endmost sections, when nested.have convex outer surfaces.

- UNTIW) SEA'EEGS PATENT OFFER (TEQH'EH t ILA E in (W (AMHHLMQ My PatentNo. 3,630,527 Dated December 28, 1971 Inventor(s) Jeffrey D.- Bre'slowIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 24, "surface" should be "surfaces";

Column 2, line 28, i'eriter" should be "center";

Column 3, line 5, "paced" should be 'spaced"; and

Column 4, add the following claim." --7. .A puazle-type game comprisinga' 'plurality of generally cylindrical nestable segments each having aperiphery of generally identical portions to form an elongated objecthaving a continuous surface, said segments including pin and aperturetype inte'rengaging means with'said apertures being formed in saidsegments and being of a size and shape to receive said pin meanstherein; said interengaging means being disposed about the axial centerof the segments at different amn'qsmlar positions, each segment beingprovided. with pin means and/or aperture means positioned thereon forcooperative engagement with complementary pin means and/or aperturemeans PAGE 2 I U N WED STA'IES .PA'lENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CURREQTIUNPat n 3, 630,527 Dated December 28, 1971 Inventofls) Jeffrey D. Bresl'owIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent 'are hereby corrected as shown .below:

of at least one, 'but not all, the remaining segments,

whereby the segments must be properly matched so as to interengage andthereby nest all of the sections to form said object.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of December 1972.

( SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCI-IER,JR. I ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Office-rCommissioner of Patents

1. A puzzle-type game comprising a plurality of generally discshapedsections nestable end to end to form an elongated object, said sectionshaving interengaging surfaces including at least one pin and oneaperture, with each pin and aperture having a positional relationship oneach section with a complementary aperture and pin on at least one, ormore, but not all of the remaining sections, the apertures being of asize to receive their respectively matched pin and said complementarymatching pins and apertures are spaced about the disc-shaped sections atdifferent angular increments, whereby the sections must be properlymatched so as to interengage and thereby nest all of the sections toform said elongated object.
 2. The puzzle game of claim 1 wherein atleast two of the properly matched sections have a plurality ofcomplementary positioned pins and apertures.
 3. The puzzle game of claim2 wherein at least one of the sections has a pin extending from oppositesides thereof.
 4. The puzzle game of claim 2 wherein at least one of thesections has a plurality of apertures.
 5. The puzzle game of claim 2wherein said pins and apertures on all sections are equally spaced fromthe center of the disc-shaped sections.
 6. The puzzle game of claIm 2wherein the endmost sections, when nested, have convex outer surfaces.